Suspected gas explosion in Acocks Green, Birmingham - locals tell of shock

Two men are in hospital following a suspected gas explosion in Acocks Green, Birmingham, this morning (Tuesday, July 11).

Paramedics and firefighters responded to a call to a house on Station Road at 9.45am. The men suffered burns, with one man said to be in a serious - but not life-threatening condition. The other had non-serious injuries. They were both taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

West Midlands Fire Service said neighbouring properties were evacuated as West Midlands Police cordoned off the area while residents reported seeing 20 police cars and ambulances dashing to the scene. The force of the blast ripped through the house.

Terrified residents reported hearing a “loud bang” at the time. One said: “I’m on nights so I was asleep when I was woken up by a loud bang. It was really loud. I looked out the window and within minutes there were police cars and ambulances flying everywhere. I heard from a resident that they smelled gas coming from the property in the last day or two. I’m just glad no one was seriously hurt.”

Another local said: “It’s pretty scary. My friend lives at the other end of the road and he said he heard the explosion and heard alarms and sirens going.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service was first on the scene at 9.42am, sending two ambulances, three paramedic officers, the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team, a MERIT trauma doctor and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered two patients, both men. One of the men was treated for potentially serious injuries, but not believed to be life-threatening, before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance. The second man was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to the same hospital, also by land ambulance.”

West Midlands Fire Service sent three crews from Hay Mills and Billesley, with the first arriving within four minutes of being mobilised. Firefighters said the two men had left the house before they arrived and that their crews are still in attendance, but said the incident has closed.